New Hampshire permit-test explanation sheet

A compact New Hampshire reading view of 20 existing sourced practice explanations. Each card keeps the original question, correct answer and explanation together so that a qualified rule is not detached from its scenario.

Selected road rules and winter driving. See the online study guide for licensing and more driving topics.

Use this as a review aid after reading the handbook. It is not a state exam aid or a complete list of driving laws. Printing may use several pages; the layout does not shrink the text to promise a single sheet.

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Test-format qualifications

Operator knowledge examination: The question count is not confirmed in the reviewed agency sources. Agency passing statement: 80% of answers correct.

Source qualifications for this format

Saf-C 1005.01 permits up to fifty questions depending on license class; 1005.02 permits up to sixty minutes depending on class. These are not evidence of the specific standard-car question count or timer.

Current DMV testing-page retrieval failed; 40 questions, 32 correct, 40 minutes, and automatic failure after nine errors were not independently confirmed.

Do not call the car exam a learner-permit prerequisite: New Hampshire allows supervised learning under a statutory exception without a passenger-car learner permit.

Retained facts checked 2026-10-10.

Source-linked explanations to review

Review 1 · Officer direction at a signal

A traffic officer directs your lane through an intersection while its traffic light is red. What should you follow?

Correct answer: Follow the officer’s direction while watching for hazards.

The device-obedience rule expressly allows a traffic or police officer to direct otherwise. Follow the officer’s instruction attentively.

Source: New Hampshire RSA §265:9, I, officer-direction exception; General Court HTML chapter body read October 1, 2026. Selected codified road-rule practice, not a complete DMV handbook or licensing review. · Original question review: 2026-10-01

Review 2 · An inoperative traffic signal

A traffic signal is completely out, and no officer is directing traffic. Which statement correctly describes the rule you must apply?

Correct answer: Use the applicable uncontrolled-intersection or four-way-stop rules, including their yielding duties.

RSA 265:9 V directs drivers to the rules applicable to intersections without devices or with four-way stops, and lists yielding duties. It does not grant priority to the busier road or establish that every dark signal is unconditionally a four-way stop.

Source: New Hampshire RSA §265:9, V, opening paragraph and listed yielding duties; General Court HTML chapter body read October 1, 2026. Selected codified road-rule practice, not a complete DMV handbook or licensing review. · Original question review: 2026-10-01

Review 3 · Green with traffic still in the intersection

Your light becomes circular green while a vehicle is still lawfully completing its movement through the intersection. What should you do?

Correct answer: Yield rather than enter in a way that conflicts with that vehicle.

Circular green permits movement but does not displace vehicles lawfully in the intersection when it appears. Let the existing movement clear your intended path.

Source: New Hampshire RSA §265:10, I(a), lawful intersection users; General Court HTML chapter body read October 1, 2026. Selected codified road-rule practice, not a complete DMV handbook or licensing review. · Original question review: 2026-10-01

Review 4 · A green arrow for a different movement

The only indication allowing your lane to move is a green left arrow. You intend to go straight. What does that arrow permit?

Correct answer: Only the indicated left turn; another movement needs a permitting indication.

A green arrow permits cautious entry for its indicated movement or another movement allowed by a simultaneously displayed indication. This arrow alone does not authorize going straight.

Source: New Hampshire RSA §265:10, I(b), movements permitted by green arrows; General Court HTML chapter body read October 1, 2026. Selected codified road-rule practice, not a complete DMV handbook or licensing review. · Original question review: 2026-10-01

Review 5 · What steady yellow warns about

The green light ahead changes to steady yellow. What does that indication warn you about?

Correct answer: The related green movement is ending and a red indication follows.

Steady yellow warns that the related green movement is ending or that red will immediately follow. It is not a new priority or an invitation to accelerate into the intersection.

Source: New Hampshire RSA §265:10, II(a), steady yellow indication; General Court HTML chapter body read October 1, 2026. Selected codified road-rule practice, not a complete DMV handbook or licensing review. · Original question review: 2026-10-01

Review 6 · Stopping for circular red

A circular red signal faces you, with a clearly marked stop line before the crosswalk. Where should you make the required stop?

Correct answer: At the marked stop line, without entering the crosswalk.

The red-signal rule identifies a clearly marked stop line as a stopping location. Do not roll beyond it into the crosswalk; the absence-of-line alternatives are not a reason to ignore an existing line.

Source: New Hampshire RSA §265:10, III(a), stopping at circular red; General Court HTML chapter body read October 1, 2026. Selected codified road-rule practice, not a complete DMV handbook or licensing review. · Original question review: 2026-10-01

Review 7 · New Hampshire right turn on a red arrow

You face a steady right-pointing red arrow. A right turn is lawful at this intersection, and no sign prohibits a turn on red. What does New Hampshire allow?

Correct answer: A right turn after the required stop, yielding to lawful intersection and crosswalk users.

RSA 265:10 III(f) expressly includes a steady red arrow as well as circular red. After stopping, a lawful right turn may be made unless a posted prohibition applies, with the stated yielding duties. The red-arrow restriction in III(d) preserves this exception.

Source: New Hampshire RSA §265:10, III(d) and III(f), right-turn exception and yielding; General Court HTML chapter body read October 1, 2026. Selected codified road-rule practice, not a complete DMV handbook or licensing review. · Original question review: 2026-10-01

Review 8 · A left-pointing red arrow

You intend to turn left, but the signal is a steady red left arrow and no other indication permits your movement. What should you do?

Correct answer: Stop and wait for an indication that permits the left turn.

The red-arrow rule requires waiting for a permitting indication. The separate after-stop exception is for a lawful right turn; it does not authorize the left turn described here.

Source: New Hampshire RSA §265:10, III(d), with the right-turn scope of III(f); General Court HTML chapter body read October 1, 2026. Selected codified road-rule practice, not a complete DMV handbook or licensing review. · Original question review: 2026-10-01

Review 9 · A signal between intersections

A traffic signal requires a stop between intersections. A pavement marking identifies the stopping point. Where should you stop?

Correct answer: At that designated pavement marking.

Signals also apply away from intersections. The indicated sign or pavement marking establishes the stopping point; stopping at the signal is the fallback when neither exists.

Source: New Hampshire RSA §265:10, IV, signals away from intersections; General Court HTML chapter body read October 1, 2026. Selected codified road-rule practice, not a complete DMV handbook or licensing review. · Original question review: 2026-10-01

Review 10 · Cutting through a corner property

You plan to cross a corner business’s parking area, which is not a roadway, solely to get around a red traffic signal. Is that permitted?

Correct answer: No. You may not cut across nearby non-roadway property to avoid the control.

RSA 265:11-a prohibits cutting across public or private property at or near an intersection, when it is not a roadway, to avoid a traffic signal or sign.

Source: New Hampshire RSA §265:11-a, operative prohibition on avoiding signals or signs; General Court HTML chapter body read October 1, 2026. Selected codified road-rule practice, not a complete DMV handbook or licensing review. · Original question review: 2026-10-01

Review 11 · Flashing red at a road intersection

At an ordinary road intersection, not a railway crossing, the signal facing you flashes red. How should you proceed?

Correct answer: Stop, then proceed only under the yielding rules that apply after a stop sign.

A flashing red road signal requires a stop, followed by the rules governing entry after a stop sign. Railway-crossing conduct is separately governed and is excluded from this stem.

Source: New Hampshire RSA §265:12, I(a) and II, flashing red and railway exclusion; General Court HTML chapter body read October 1, 2026. Selected codified road-rule practice, not a complete DMV handbook or licensing review. · Original question review: 2026-10-01

Review 12 · Flashing yellow at a road intersection

A circular yellow signal flashes at an ordinary road intersection. What response does it call for?

Correct answer: Proceeding only with caution, watching for conflicting movements.

The flashing-yellow rule permits proceeding through the intersection or past the signal only with caution. It does not promise an empty intersection or unconditional priority.

Source: New Hampshire RSA §265:12, I(b), flashing yellow caution; General Court HTML chapter body read October 1, 2026. Selected codified road-rule practice, not a complete DMV handbook or licensing review. · Original question review: 2026-10-01

Review 13 · Red lane-use indication

An overhead lane-use signal shows steady red above a lane. The lane looks empty. May you enter it to continue driving?

Correct answer: No. Do not enter or travel in a lane with that red indication.

A red overhead lane-use signal prohibits entering or traveling in the lane it controls. An apparently empty lane does not cancel the indication.

Source: New Hampshire RSA §265:13, III, steady red lane-use indication; General Court HTML chapter body read October 1, 2026. Selected codified road-rule practice, not a complete DMV handbook or licensing review. · Original question review: 2026-10-01

Review 14 · Flashing yellow lane-use indication

An overhead lane-use control signal flashes yellow above a lane. This is a lane-use signal, not an intersection beacon. For what purpose may you use that lane?

Correct answer: Approaching and making a left turn.

Under the lane-use signal statute, flashing yellow authorizes use only to approach and make a left turn. That meaning is different from a flashing-yellow intersection signal.

Source: New Hampshire RSA §265:13, IV, flashing yellow lane-use indication; General Court HTML chapter body read October 1, 2026. Selected codified road-rule practice, not a complete DMV handbook or licensing review. · Original question review: 2026-10-01

Review 15 · A horizontal left-arm signal

A driver extends the left hand and arm straight out horizontally. What intention does that hand signal communicate?

Correct answer: A left turn.

The left-side horizontal hand-and-arm signal indicates a left turn. Recognizing it does not imply that hand signals replace required signal lamps on every vehicle.

Source: New Hampshire RSA §265:47, opening paragraph and I, left turn; General Court HTML chapter body read October 1, 2026. Selected codified road-rule practice, not a complete DMV handbook or licensing review. · Original question review: 2026-10-01

Review 16 · An upward left-arm signal

A driver gives a hand-and-arm signal upward from the left side of the vehicle. What should you expect?

Correct answer: A right turn.

An upward signal from the left side indicates a right turn. This question concerns the signal’s meaning, not the equipment rules for substituting hand signals.

Source: New Hampshire RSA §265:47, opening paragraph and II, right turn; General Court HTML chapter body read October 1, 2026. Selected codified road-rule practice, not a complete DMV handbook or licensing review. · Original question review: 2026-10-01

Review 17 · A downward left-arm signal

A driver ahead extends the left hand and arm downward. What does that signal indicate?

Correct answer: An intention to stop or decrease speed.

The downward hand-and-arm signal indicates a stop or decrease in speed. Allow for the expected slowdown rather than treating the gesture as permission to pass.

Source: New Hampshire RSA §265:47, opening paragraph and III, stop/decrease speed; General Court HTML chapter body read October 1, 2026. Selected codified road-rule practice, not a complete DMV handbook or licensing review. · Original question review: 2026-10-01

Review 18 · Position for an ordinary right turn

You are making a normal right turn in a passenger car, with no signs or markers directing a different path. How should you approach and turn?

Correct answer: Stay as close as practicable to the right curb or roadway edge.

The ordinary right-turn rule places both the approach and turn as close as practicable to the right curb or edge. Formally directed alternative paths are excluded from this scenario.

Source: New Hampshire RSA §265:42, I; different-course provisions in II(b) and IV; General Court HTML chapter body read October 1, 2026. Selected codified road-rule practice, not a complete DMV handbook or licensing review. · Original question review: 2026-10-01

Review 19 · Left-turn approach lane

Two lanes carry traffic in your direction toward an intersection. You will turn left, and no signs or markers direct a different course. Where should you approach?

Correct answer: In the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available in your direction.

New Hampshire’s left-turn rule specifies the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in your direction. It does not authorize an opposing lane or a turn across another same-direction lane.

Source: New Hampshire RSA §265:42, II(a), left-turn approach; II(b) and IV exceptions excluded; General Court HTML chapter body read October 1, 2026. Selected codified road-rule practice, not a complete DMV handbook or licensing review. · Original question review: 2026-10-01

Review 20 · An formally directed turn path

Published markers and signs at an intersection direct your turn along a path different from the ordinary turning rule. Which path should you follow?

Correct answer: The course directed by the published markers and signs.

Authorities may direct a different turning course through intersection markers or signs. When those controls are placed, drivers must follow the course they require.

Source: New Hampshire RSA §265:42, IV, formally directed alternative turning course; General Court HTML chapter body read October 1, 2026. Selected codified road-rule practice, not a complete DMV handbook or licensing review. · Original question review: 2026-10-01